Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1887-04-08
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Regular Correspondent.

The composition OF the Interstate
Commerce Commission has been the
chief subject of comment here for the
past few days. For the most part it
seems to give satisfaction, and some
are even enthusiastic in it's praise.
Oae prominent citizen of Washington
remarked that the character of the
men composing the board was ample
compensation for the delay in their
appointment.
Now and then you hear Republi-
can object to the appointment of Judge
Cooley as one of the representatives of
his party, saying that he has not been
in accord with the Republican party
for some years, but as rule his selec-
ton is highly commended by leading
men of both sides. The Democrats
would have been gratifed if ex-Repre-
sentative MQrrison's name had headed
the list for the longest term of Office,
six years, and Judge Cooley been given
the second place. But, at the White
House, the explanation of this was
that the Judge had made such sacri-
fee to accept place on the commits
sion that it was the least the President
could do to name him first. 1t is said
he sacrificed $4,000 per annum as re-
ceiver for the 81 800 salary of Com
missioner.
In politics the commission, as was
to be expected, is divided between a
Democratic majority and a Republi-
can minority. The representative
character of each of the Democratic
members, Messrs. Morrison, Schoon-
maker and Bragg, will pass without
question. Mr.. Schoonmaker is said
to be the personal selection of the
President. He was trusted friend of
the late Gov. Tilden and has long had
the confidence of Mr.. Cleveland. Mr..
Walker, of Vermont, has the partisan
endorsement of Senator Edmunds,
and Judge Cooley, if questioned, would
pronounce himself Republican.
The list of names reveals a consci-
entious effort to secure the most COM
petent, qualified and able men who
could be obtained for the salaries. In
each case there is something to give
the man peculiar claim to this distinc-
ton. Messrs. Cooley, Walker and
Bragg have been prominently identi-
fed with the subject of governmental
relations to the railroads. Mr.. Bragg,
as President of the Alabama Railroad
Commission, and Mr.. Walker, as a
member Of the Vermont Senate, have
had experience in the formation and
execution of legislation affecting. the
railroads, and Judge Cooley is perhaps
the most eminent authority in the
United States on subjects of constitu.
tiOnal law affecting interstate COM
merce. fa
Mr.. Morrison is qualified by his long
experience as q lawmaker, his thorough
study of commercial questions and his
universally recognized integrity and
earnestness. Mr.. Schoonmaker's spe-
cial fitness for the appointment lies in
his familiarity with the laws and
commerce of New York, and his rela.
tions to Gov. Tilden as a co-operatol
in his reform measures.
The new law is vast problem
Every feature of its operations is more
or less uncertain, and whatever is done
adverse criticism and vigorous opposi.
ton may be expected. Under the cir
cumstances the President could scarce
ly have followed better rules of selec.
ton. In choosing the Commissioners
on the basis of merit, he has relieved
himself of responsibility to greater
degree than he could have done by ap'
pointments based more upon political
and personal considerations.
The construction of the Interstate
Commerce Commission has been a
work of six weeks for the President
To make it satisfactory, fairly repre-.
sentative of all conflicting interests
and fairly representative Of the various
sections of the cOuntry-conditions
which are necessary, because the com
mission will be in its widest sense q
national court-the attempt to do ali
this, the President says, has been the
most difficult puzzle of his Admins
tration. Several times he supposed
he had the Commission completed
but each time a hitch occurred and an
entire redistribution Of places was ne
cessitated. Every time four good
members were secured it was found
impossible to get fifth who would ex
actly fit in with the other four and
then . complete recast was required.
The labors of the commission will
be comprehensive and a considerable
force of clerks and assistants will bt
required. Substantially, the capita
will have a new department. Alto
gether the effect upon this city will bt
more pronounced than that of any
law passed in recent years. Dem.
1T is said to the credit of the noble
Romans that they built theaters thai
did not burn and bridges that could
not fall down. Another credit-marl